Yesterday I was pleased to join the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, officials and guests for the opening of Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts.
Tai Kwun, which means “big station’ in Chinese, is the former Central Police Station compound and the largest surviving heritage site in Central, with a history dating back 170 years – older even than the Jockey Club.
The Club was entrusted by the Government with the task of restoring the site and bringing it back to life as a centre for heritage and arts. It has taken a decade to accomplish, drawing on the expertise of world-class professionals from Hong Kong and overseas. And yesterday we were finally able to unveil the results.
The feedback has been incredibly positive and I must thank the Club’s team, and everyone who has advised on and supported the project, for a magnificent effort.
The public opening is this coming Tuesday. Many people have already booked their Tai Kwun Pass on the Tai Kwun website . We look forward to welcoming them and to sharing Tai Kwun with everyone in Hong Kong.
Back to the sport, I just arrived in Singapore to attend the Kranji Mile meeting to be held at Kranji Racecourse tonight. Hong Kong will have two runners in the Singapore G1 event, and reports from the week suggest that both Southern Legend and Horse Of Fortune have settled in well and they have the gun gates of one and two respectively. So I wish them all the best and hope they deliver good performances tonight.
Indeed it’s going to be a weekend for champions. Late tonight, Real Madrid and Liverpool will square off in Kiev, Ukraine, for this year’s UEFA Champions League title. And for us, we will stage our G1 finale of the season, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m, tomorrow at Sha Tin, while we will also feature the G3 Sha Tin Vase over 1200m.
I will be rushing back on a late flight to make our races tomorrow. Despite the small field, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup is a top quality race and has English raider Chemical Charge, who is a very good proven stayer with good finishing speed.
The pace is expected to be slow and the field lacks a logical leader. Pakistan Star showed speed in his recent barrier trials and is likely to lead with Exultant nearby. He made a mid race move in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup and will not be far behind. Eagle Way and Chemical Charge are likely next with Gold Mount near the rear.
If the pace is too slow I believe that Exultant will pick-up the pace because a sit and sprint is not his strength. He showed last time that he is a genuine stayer with class. He is working well and is a place chance. Chemical Charge should not be underestimated and he was held up in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase when he finished fourth being beaten 2 3/4 lengths. I see him as a place chance too, but in my view, they all have to beat Pakistan Star if he decides to show up.
At this stage, and with his tremendous win in the APQEII Cup as well as his impressive barrier trial win over 1200m on the All Weather, it seems everything is going well, but he is running for the first time over 2400m. His pedigree suggests it should not be any issue for him coming from a German family with strong stamina, and his running style suggests he should be well suited. He is working extremely well and is now in top form and should be the horse to beat on all counts.
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